<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM RIVER
HOLDING CORP. AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000             DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000             DEC-26-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-2000             MAR-26-1999
<CASH>                                           3,634                     710
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   32,784                  23,153
<ALLOWANCES>                                    (1,026)                   (635)
<INVENTORY>                                     25,333                  19,091
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                64,092                  44,056
<PP&E>                                          55,803                  46,556
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (15,940)                 (5,989)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 346,177                 259,910
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          (30,563)                (15,965)
<BONDS>                                       (115,000)               (115,000)
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          (36,455)                (32,437)
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                       (91,748)                (63,125)
<OTHER-SE>                                      13,685                   5,617
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                  (346,178)               (259,910)
<SALES>                                        (40,807)                (27,169)
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               (40,807)                (27,169)
<CGS>                                           22,503                  16,346
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   11,987                   8,347
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   339                     (28)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,997                   3,871
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   (980)                  1,367
<INCOME-TAX>                                       482                    (547)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               (498)                    820
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                      (498)                    820
<EPS-BASIC>                                          0                       0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                       0